The Relationship between Airborne particulate matter 2.5 µ (PM2.5) and conjunctivitis in the Patients at Dararassamee Hospital

Abstract

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common problems that bring patients to visit          the outpatient department. The disease may bring about mild symptoms such as burning sensation, eye discomfort, red eye, tearing, increase eye discharge or it may progress to blepharoconjunctivitis or keratitis. The causes of conjunctivitis can vary from infection such as virus, bacteria, parasite or non-infection such as allergy, trauma and chemical substance. Air pollution can cause health problems including conjunctivitis. The objective of this study was to define the relationship between air pollution, especially the Airborne particulate matter (PM2.5), and conjunctivitis in patients at Dararassamee Hospital by using the ICD10 data collected from the eye outpatient department between 1 March 2018 to 31 March 2019. The data on PM2.5 level was collected from Thailand’s air quality and situation reports at Chiangmai city hall spot. The STATA software was used for all statistical analyses. The result indicated that out of 931 patients, 727 had conjunctivitis; 141 of which had allergic conjunctivitis. A total of 234 patients suffered from dry eyes. In period of smog season from January to April, it was found out that the PM2.5 level increased while the number of patients with conjunctivitis and dry eyes also increased with statistical significance (p<0.001). People should monitor air quality index and PM2.5 each day to beware conjunctivitis and dry eye while experiencing air pollution problems.